World Literature 2

This course will discuss the global history of nationalism, examining, in particular, how Third World writers negotiate the nation as the paradigmatic, 'world-historical' ('universal') frame of cultural self-formation. It will pose a number of questions raised by a set of Anglophone Third World writers and texts, including: How, where and by whom are 'world history' and 'world literature' produced? In what languages and in what forms are 'world history' and 'world literature' recognized? What exclusions do the categories 'world history' and 'world literature' perform? Can literary and cultural texts help to shape or re-shape national or transnational realities and futures? Or do they bear any relationship at all to what they purport to represent? As we examine how formal experiments bolster textual arguments for economic and cultural democracy, we will also seek to assess each text's capacity to recognize and to tolerate social antagonism.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
-Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of and the ability to engage critically with the key issues within postcolonial literary studies
-Demonstrate an ability to critically engage with the categories of ?world history? and ?world literature?
-Show an understanding of how Third World writers use the nation as a framework for cultural self-formation.
-Demonstrate high quality verbal and written expression; the ability to make clear points in a lucid grammatical and confident manner
-Write responses to exam questions, demonstrating the ability to integrate source material and critical readings; synthesise arguments; justify critical approaches and opinions.

Teaching & Learning methods:
his module is taught through a combination of lectures, on-line support, and support provided by the Learning Resource Officer.

Assessment:
University scheduled written examination: 100% (120 minutes)